Union Announces Four-Day Strike Over Unresolved Grievances
The DC Office Employees' Union has declared a pen-down strike across all Deputy Commissioner offices in Punjab from July 9 to 12, 2026. The decision follows failed negotiations with state authorities over a series of long-pending demands related to promotions, quota revisions, and staff upgrades.
Key Demands Include Promotion Quota and Experience Reduction
State president Tejinder Singh Nangal and state secretary Narendra Singh Cheema outlined the core demands. The union is pressing for the filling of all vacant posts through promotions, an increase in the promotion quota for Senior Assistants, and a reduction in the required experience for promotion from Superintendent Grade-II (Revenue and Records) to Tehsildar from the existing period to two years. Additionally, they demand an increase in the promotion quota from Senior Assistant to Naib Tehsildar to 25 percent.
Other Grievances: Post Creations and Upgrades
The union also demands that promotions from Superintendent Grade-II (Revenue and Records) to Tehsildar be granted as per the approved panel, and that the post of Superintendent (Revenue and Records) be created in tehsils. Further demands include upgrading the Reader post in the courts of District Revenue Officers to the level of Senior Assistant, creating an additional post of Ahlmad (clerk), and making the next promotional avenue for Superintendent Grade-I officials in Deputy Commissioner offices the post of Under Secretary at the divisional level.
Failed Meetings Prompt Strike Action
Nangal stated, “The demands have been pending with the government since long. Meetings held with the Financial Commissioner (Revenue) on May 7 and later with the Punjab Revenue Minister on June 30 but these did not result in the fulfilment of any demands.” He added that it was decided to issue a notice to the government announcing a pen down/computer shutdown strike from July 9 to 12. The government will also be warned that if their demands are still not met, an online meeting will be held on July 12 to intensify the agitation further, and harsher decisions would be taken.
